Dead in the Water is the second episode of the eighth series of Midsomer Murders and originally aired on 17th October 2004.
While attending the Midsomer Regatta with his wife Joyce and daughter Cully, Det. Chief Inspector Barnaby finds himself investigating the murder of Guy Sweetman, the rowing club's chairman who is found floating in the river. Sweetman was quite a ladies’ man and there is no end of suspects on that score. However, Barnaby and DS Scott also learn that the dead man was having frequent meetings with two other members of the club and may have had an arguments with them the evening he disappeared. As the investigation continues, the police learn that the secret meetings all had to do with money, or the lack of it, as all involved were having financial difficulties. Not surprisingly, the motive for the murder is both greed and lust.
Tropes:
- Head-Tiltingly Kinky: Barnaby is watching a pornographic video that was used to blackmail one of the suspects. Joyce walks in and asks him what he's watching. As he tells her, she starts tilting her head with her eyes glued to the screen. She then asks him if he fancies an early night.
- Make It Look Like a Struggle: Jeweller Ivan Hawkins conspires with some of his friends to rob his own store. Hawkins is left Bound and Gagged in a chair in the vault, but one of the robbers decides to make the scenario look more realistic by smacking him hard in the face
- Never One Murder: This episode is an exception, although there is an attempted second murder.
